Dr. Frances Munkenbeck Named IBHRE Ambassador of the Year
The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners® announced today that Frances Clifford Munkenbeck, M.D., FACC, FHRS, CCDS was selected as the 2019 IBHRE Ambassador of the Year. This distinguished honor recognizes IBHRE-certified Ambassadors who have made outstanding contributions of their time and talent to advancing IBHRE’s mission.
IBHRE Ambassadors are physicians and allied professionals who help broaden awareness of IBHRE and its certification programs. As such, they provide mentorship, support and encouragement to heart rhythm practitioners seeking to advance their career through certification and professional development. In doing so, IBHRE Ambassadors participate on other IBHRE committees and task forces, and assist in the development of special projects.
“Since 2014, Dr. Munkenbeck has been a staunched advocate for IBHRE,” said Tracy Lofty, executive director, IBHRE. “In addition to her work as an IBHRE Ambassador, she is a valuable member of our Scholarship Committee, and doesn’t hesitate to share her cardiac device expertise with heart rhythm practitioners seeking mentorship.”
Dr. Munkenbeck is on staff at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield, Oregon where she also operates in a hospital-based medical practice. She specializes in cardiac electrophysiology treating heart rhythm disorders, such as arrhythmias and device rhythm management. During her 33-year cardiology career, Dr. Munkenbeck has been appointed to a number of distinguished committees, including the American College of Cardiology Ethics and Compliance Committee.
She has conducted research in numerous clinical trials--most recently UNTOUCHED--Understanding Outcomes with the EMBLEM™ S-ICD in Primary Prevention Patients with Low Ejection Fraction (2015 – 2016), and the Gloria-AF trial (2013-2016). She enjoys teaching allied professionals who are on the front line of device rhythm management.
Dr. Munkenbeck has authored and co-authored a collection of manuscripts that are published in major journals, including the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, American Heart Journal, Pacing and Electrophysiology (PACE) and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. She completed her residency and served as a Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at the University of Chicago where she was a graduate of the Pritzker School of Medicine.
“Dr. Munkenbeck is a highly engaged member of the Ambassador Committee even as she operates a medical practice,” commented Harlie Ferguson, CEPS, chair, IBHRE Ambassador Committee.
“Not only has she provided insightful counsel to the committee, her input is instrumental in the committee’s ability to execute on its mission.”
Dr. Munkenbeck will be recognized during the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions, May 8-11, in San Francisco, Calif. The Ambassador of the Year Award will be presented during IBHRE's Celebration of Excellence on May 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
About the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners
The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners® has set the standard for global certification in heart rhythm management since 1985. IBHRE offers competency certification to physicians and allied professionals to provide quality patient care in cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. Certifications offered are the Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS), the Certified Cardiac Device Specialist- Japan Device Representative (CCDS-JDR) , the Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS), the Certified Electrophysiology Specialist – Adult (CEPS-A), and the Certified Electrophysiology Specialist – Pediatric (CEPS-P).
Learn more about IBHRE’s certifications at IBHRE.org. Nurses and other allied professionals can visit IBHRENow.org to learn how IBHRE certification can help advance their career.